Melinda started ordering me around in my own kitchen and rearranging the furniture. She criticized my habits while Phillip stayed silent.
At first, I tried gently asserting my boundaries, but every time it ended in a cold war. So I began giving in on small things and then bigger things.
I hid the album as Skyler knocked. She had returned earlier than expected.
She slipped inside and closed the door behind her. She scanned the room to make sure we were alone and sat beside me on the bed.
She said she wanted to apologize for her mother and for what she said about the shampoo. I told her not to worry about it.
But she insisted that it was not okay. Anger flashed in her eyes as she said this was my house.
She said her mother acts like I am a guest taking advantage of her hospitality. I finished her sentence gently.
Skyler nodded and bit her lip. She said she talked to her dad, but he just brushes it off.
He says everything is fine and that I like taking care of them. I sighed because Phillip was a master of self deception.
I took her hand and said that sometimes it is easier for people to ignore problems. Her dad is a good man but he is afraid of conflict.